Preview: Brisbane vs. Mariners

The Central Coast Mariners are Brisbane bound this Easter Long Weekend to face the Roar. Ahead of the team’s departure, Caretaker Coach Wayne O’Sullivan spoke with media.

Kick-off on Saturday evening is 5:35pm at Suncorp Stadium for the Mariners last encounter with Brisbane this season that could see former Roar players, Kye Rowles and Peter Skapetis feature against their old team.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, they will be without attacking midfielder Danny De Silva who sustained a hamstring injury against Sydney FC. Danny adds to the list of Mariners’ unavailable players alongside Tom Hiariej (groin injury) and Antony Golec (broken tibial plateau).

The Mariners are coming off the back of a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC whilst Brisbane Roar were forced to settle with a 2-2 draw away from home to Wellington Phoenix.

It’s a big occasion for the Roar who will be looking to lift for goalkeeper Michael Theo who will play his final home game at Suncorp Stadium before retiring at season’s end.

Sully’s Say

“Preparation is much easier when you’ve got a full week instead of half a week,” O’Sullivan said. “So, things have been good. Boys have been great, we had a nice easy start to the week but we’re at the business end of the week now.

“Brisbane had a slow start to the season and they’ve picked up the last few rounds in particular. They’ve had a good run so we’re expecting a tough competition against them naturally. They’re at home, so everything is on them to play and we’re expecting them to come forward, make things happen and we will do our best to get a result.

“From a performance point of view [against Sydney] I thought it was good. We were a little bit hesitant finding confidence but in the second half the boys were excellent. I couldn’t have asked for anything more in the second half, they gave everything and at one point it looked like we were going to go on and win it. So, to lose at the death was heartbreaking but the boys have bounced out of it well and took it for what it was. It was a good, solid performance against one of the best teams in the competition.

“Missing Danny is a loss. It’s like we spoke about last week, when you lose key players it’s a loss to any football club. But, Danny’s loss gives an opportunity to someone else to come into the team.

“Our aim is to try and win three football games. We want to finish off with a nice wet sail which puts things into perspective, so it’s very important that we finish strong,” O’Sullivan said.

Opta Stat-Attack

No player in the A-League has been fouled more than Andrew Hoole (63)

The Mariners have conceded just 316 fouls this season, only Sydney (309) have conceded fewer